Competency Demonstration Report: Automated Voltage Regulator Project

This report details a student's project on designing and implementing an Automated Voltage Regulator (AVR). The project aimed to address voltage fluctuations in the Nigerian power supply. The report outlines the project's objectives, including identifying lagging factors in existing systems and controlling output voltage. It describes the student's role, which involved developing the system design, performing calculations, and managing teamwork. The report includes circuit diagrams, data analysis, and relay selection tests. The student successfully designed an AVR using transformers and relays to regulate input voltages between 150V and 273V, maintaining a stable output between 215V and 237V. The report also discusses challenges encountered, such as circuit connection issues, and their solutions, as well as the collaborative efforts of the team. The project's overview highlights the use of custom transformers and the design's effectiveness in stabilizing voltage within the specified range.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 3
YOSOLA ODUNAYO

CE 3.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Designing, and Implementing, Automated Voltage Regulator
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 3.2 Project Background
CE 3.2.1 Characteristics of the project
It was an experimental research during my intern and the aim was to designing and
implementation of the automatic voltage regulator. The electricity being supplied by the Nigerian
government has been varying due to the extra load and improper balance between the demands
and supplies. Thus, the electrical components being utilized on the same electric supply will be
affected due to the fluctuations and variations in the voltage. I identified that the systems those
have been available at the present time lags in the accuracy and precision and thus, is not
effective for managing the voltage differences and protecting the electrical appliances. I analysed
these factors that will be helpful in understanding the short comings of the voltage difference.
CE 3.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
Following are the objectives developed for the successful delivery of the project:
 To identify the lagging factors in the present system

 To restrict and manage the input voltage in manner to remain in the tolerable pre-
specifying the limit
 To identify the behaviour and characteristics of the voltage regulator in
fluctuating voltage conditions
 To identify the factors those can enhance the efficiency for managing the
fluctuating the voltage
 To control the output voltage through the utilization of the field excitation
CE 3.2.3 My area of work
I had to develop and present a sophisticated design for the overall system and present a
layout that can be followed for the accomplishment of the objectives of the project. I developed
the following design for the execution of the laboratory experiment:
Figure 1: Block Diagram of the AVR Design

It was my decision to execute the overall experiment in 12 V supply for which I had
utilized the step down transformer for managing the voltage output as demonstrated in the
following figure:
Figure 2: 12 Volt Power Supply
For the 5 volt power supply following circuit was designed:
Figure 3: 5 volt power supply

I modelled the comparator circuit through using the LM324 that will be helpful in
identifying and compare g the voltage difference and fluctuations. Following model describes the
comparator circuit:
Figure 5: Comparator Circuit

CE 3.2.4 Project Group
CE 3.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I Was responsible for doing all the mathematical calculations involved for the
establishment of the designed model for managing the voltage fluctuations. I was also
responsible for the development of the design for laying the circuit in manner to dig out the
necessary and efficient output from the experimental setup. I managed the teamwork activities
and effectively incorporated within the team to accomplish the objectives and goals of the
project. I accomplished all the necessary testing and evaluation regarding the input and output
voltage values. I had evaluated the overall functioning of the project.

CE 3.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 3.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
I identified that voltage fluctuations and variations could possibly affect the electrical
appliances being operated in that supply and it is necessary to develop the experiments those will
be ensuring the safety of the electrical appliances. I performed the experiments regarding this
aspect and collected the necessary values. The effort was made successfully to bring up with an
solution that can manage the voltage fluctuations and assuring the safety of the electrical
appliances.
CE 3.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I performed the following engineering activities that include the recording of the data
related to the outputs from the derived model:
1. Comparator Selection
Input V AC (volt) Vin (volt DC) Vref (Volt DC) Output of Comparator
145 3.71 3.60 A
150 3.83 3.75 B
166 4.24 4.10 C
184 4.70 4.50 D
203 5.19 4.90 E
224 5.73 5.55 F
248 6.34 6.10 G
274 7.01 6.85 H
 Vref (Volt DC) is the non-inverting input for comparator
 VAC (volt) is the input voltage for AV

 Vin (volt DC) is the inverting input for comparator
2. Relay Selection
A B C D E F G H O/P Relay
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 OFF 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 AB R1
1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 CD R2
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 BC R3
1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 EF R4
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 GH R5
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 DE R7
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 FG R7
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 GH R8
3. Transformer tap selection
Input V AC
(volt)
Voltage for
Tap Selection
Switch
Selection
Tap no. Stabilized Output
Voltage
150 315 R2 T2 214.77≈ 215
145 -- R1 -- 0 V
166 285 R3 T3 215.0
203 233 R5 T5 214.99 ≈215
184 257 R4 T4 214.94≈215
224 212 R6 T6 215.85≈215
274 -- R8 -- 0V
248 190 R7 T7 214.18≈215
4. Final Value of OVR output due hysteresis and without hysteresis

AVR
Input
Ratio AVR Output Due
To
Hysteresis
AVR
Input
Ratio AVR Output without
hysteresis
Relay
162~178 1.2952 209.8224~230.5456 166~183 1.2952 215.0032(≈215)~237.0216(≈237) R2
146~161 1.4334 209.2764~230.7774 150~165 1.4334 215.01(≈215)~236.511(≈237) R3
198~217 1.0592 209.7216~229.8464 203~223 1.0592 215.0176(≈215)~236.2016(≈237) R4
179~197 1.1685 209.1615~230.1945 184~202 1.1685 215.004(≈215)~236.037(≈237) R5
242~273 0.867 209.814~236.691 248~273 0.867 215.016(≈215)~236.691(≈237) R6
218~241 0.9599 209.2582~231.3359 224~247 0.9599 215.0176(≈215)~237.0953(≈237) R7
CE 3.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I collected the values of the output developed through the designed model in manner to
assure that the voltage regulations does not affect the electrical appliances and manage them
within the range of the supply. Transformers and relays have been utilized for providing the
automation in the developed system. I evaluated every electronic and electrical components and
fixed the electrical components as per the calculated values done through the mathematical
calculation.
CE 3.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
3.3.4.1 Issues
Circuit connections were not established in well and effective manner and thus, the
circuit was not closed and the current was not flowing throughout the circuit. The relays needed
to be selected as per the specifications and need of the proposed system in manner to assure the
efficiency of the project and allow the voltage regulations in an efficient and effective manner.

3.3.4.2 Solutions
I performed the relay selection test that was described in the above selection that helped
in selecting the relays of proper rated values in manner to assure the safety and auto switching of
the voltage in the proposed project.
CE 3.3.5 Collaborative work
The project was delivered successfully because of the contribution made by every team
member in the project assuring that the output of the project has been highly effective and
efficient. I managed the team members however; they had also successfully and efficiently
contributed in the development and growth of the project. Every team member within the project
contributed in same manner assuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the project. Every
individual was assigned with different roles and sections of the project and every individual had
a crucial role to play in the project. The project was successfully delivered because of the
contribution made by each and every individual.
CE 3.4 Project Review
CE 3.4.1 Project Overview
I used the custom designed transformer despite of being costly as the other components
were chosen cheap in manner to manage the budget expend on the transformer without
hampering the output of the project. I developed the research considering the market and
likelihood of the customers in manner to assure that the product will be popular. The developed
design is helpful in ensuring the voltage regulations between the 150V to 273 V AC variations of
the voltage input vale in between the 215 – 2367 volt AC output. I developed the automatic
voltage regulator through adding multiple taps at the secondary side of the relays and the

transformers in manner to regulate the input voltages ranging between the 80 V AC to 350 V AC
in manner to stable the 220 V AC output voltage.
CE 3.4.2 My contribution to work
I contributed in the derivation of the calculation values related to the performance
analysis, transformer tap selection, relay selection, and comparator selection. I identified these
values as the crucil aspect for the delivery of the successful experiment and output. I designed
and developed the model for this experimental setup considering the following specifications:
The initial design specifications and parameters:
Output voltage: 215V to 237V
Input voltage: 150V to 273V [For all input lying between 150V and 273V]
Output and Input frequency are the same
Low cut feature at 145V
High cut feature at 274V
Eight relays are used in the auto-transformer and has 8 additional tapping’s: 315V, 285V, 257V,
233V, 212V, 190V, 172V, and 165V and a 0 V/ neutral connection.